Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Is it Domestic Violence?
People in unhealthy relationships often have trouble naming the issues they face. Many victims of domestic violence (DV) don’t believe they’re experiencing DV unless it gets to the point of getting a black eye, and even then, they may not be comfortable with labeling the behavior because they believe they deserved it, they’ve accepted… Read More »
Know Your Rights in Bankruptcy
If you’ve decided that filing for personal bankruptcy is the best way to get your debt issues under control, you’ve already survived the stress of angry creditors banging down your door. In many ways filing for bankruptcy will feel like taking a breath of fresh air, even though it can be complicated and depressing… Read More »
Why Stay With an Abuser?
It’s one of the most difficult social problems to understand: why people who are in abusive relationships don’t leave them. If the abuse is so bad, some might reason, why stick around? The answers are complicated and vary from case to case. Don’t Believe These Reasons Sadly, it’s all too easy for some people… Read More »
What Happens to Pets in Bankruptcy?
There’s absolutely nothing fun about having to file for bankruptcy. People in this situation have found themselves in financial difficulty, often through no fault of their own. Bankruptcy proceedings are generally stressful, and, depending on the type of bankruptcy, may involve the loss of numerous possessions. It’s understood, of course, that creditors have the… Read More »
Will Medical Debt Lead to Bankruptcy and/or Homelessness?
Over a quarter of Americans are straddled with serious medical debt. Medical bills that come rolling in for prescriptions, emergency care, hospital and doctor visits, physical therapy, medical devices, and related insurance premiums suck up huge portions of Americans’ earnings, often leaving them to forgo needed medical care, heating, grocery purchases, credit card debt,… Read More »
Florida Self Defense Law
If you’ve been involved in an event that resulted in the death of someone else, it’s possible you could be charged with manslaughter, or even murder, as an upshot of the incident. But were your actions legally justified? Is it ever legally acceptable to kill another human being? The fact is, under limited circumstances,… Read More »
Protecting Digital Life After Leaving Your Abuser
You’ve made the break, and hope you never have to deal with your abuser again! Modern times require that you take specific steps to prevent your abuser from victimizing you further through cyberstalking, identity theft, or otherwise disrupting your life. Here are some very clear steps you should take in order to keep your… Read More »
Means Testing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Do you qualify to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy? Many people don’t realize that the filing process includes means testing in order to have debt discharged with no repayment plan. While it’s a federal process, state law in Florida governs the rules around exemptions—meaning you can’t claim exemptions provided under federal law. The means… Read More »
Defending Child Sexual Abuse Charges
In a criminal case alleging child sexual contact, the public sentiment is pretty much guaranteed to be against the defendant. These kinds of cases are intrinsically difficult to deal with. For the defendant, the utter terror associated with the trial is understandable. Life will never be the same—irrespective of the verdict. Being accused of… Read More »
Domestic Violence: Finding Safety for You and Your Pet
If you are experiencing domestic violence (DV) and are reluctant to get out of the dangerous situation you’re in because you fear for the safety of your pet, you’re definitely not alone. Nearly all respondents to a survey on the matter report that the ability to keep their pets with them is a central… Read More »